Handle for top-covered container



y 1961 R. B. GOTTSEGEN 2,983,402

HANDLE FOR TOP-COVERED CONTAINER Filed June 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1951 R. B. GOTTSEGEN 2,983,402

HANDLE FOR TOP-COVERED CONTAINER Filed June 29, 1959 2 Shets-Sheet 2 United States Patent HANDLE FOR TOP-COVERED CONTAINER Ronald B. Gottsegen, 732 Hinman Ave., Evanston, Ill. Filed June 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,485 8 Claims. (Cl. 220-ss.7

This invention relates generally to handles for carrying containers of the type which are closed at the top thereof by a removable lid or cover. More particularly, the invention relates to plural-function handles which, in addition to affording comfortable and eflicient means for carrying containers of the character described, simultaneously function to securely lockthe lid or cover in containertion by the mere force of gravity, the maintaining of the container in a sealed condition while the same is being manually carried or otherwise transported presents numerous problems. Heretofore, such containers have gen-.

erally been provided with both carrying handles as well as some form of locking or latching device such as locks,

latches, clips, buckles, straps, or the like, in an effort to overcome these problems. Such devices naturally greatly complicated an otherwise extremely simple structure and also added considerably to the cost thereof.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to 2,983,462 Patented May 9, 1961 ice Quite often the weight of the container and its contents makes it virtually impossible for one person to carry the same. In such cases, it is naturally desirableto have a pair of handles which can be grasped by two people.

Yet another object therefore is to afford a handle of the character described which may be simply and quickly converted from a single handled means to provide a pair of handles, one at either side of the container. In this regard, the novel handle is so constructed that when the tainer.

provide a handle for carrying top-covered containers which functions to automatically lock the cover in operational position thereby eliminating the need for any auxiliary locking or latching devices.

Generally, the handles for containers of the type described heretofore comprised either a pair of handles secured one to each of the sides of the container, or a single handle secured to a central portion of the container cover. In either event, these handles were characterized by numerous disadvantageous features. For example, Where the pair of handles was provided, the person carrying the container obviously was compelled to employ both of his hands. This not only fully occupied both of the carrier's hands, but also made it very'awkward and I diflicult for towalk withthe container thus held in front of him.

Another important object of the invention; therefore is to afford a handle of the character described which permits the user to comfortably carry a container with only one hand. r a

Where a single handle was previously employed, other problems were encountered. For example, if the container was rather large or cumbersome, carrying and walking with the same was a difiicult operation because of the manner in which the weight of the container was distributed. In addition, such handles obviously could be used only where some auxiliary locking or latching device was provided as discussed hereinabove.

A further object therefore is to provide a handle of the character described which evenly distributes the weight of the container thereover so that the handling and carrying thereof is greatly facilitated.

Still a further object is to afford a handle of the character described which is simply and inexpensively fabricated and yet is most eificient and durable for carrying even relatively heavy weights.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 4

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of. my

invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawrngs:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in use as a one-handed carrying handle on a specific boxlike portable cooler;

. Fig. 2 is a reduced scale front elevational view of the cooler of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the handle operationally converted and positioned for carrying by two people;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 in Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the container of Fig. 2, a portion of the cover being broken away to show the relationship of parts; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the container of Fig. 3. 9

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the reference character 10 indicates generally my novel handle. -.The handle 10 is shown mounted on a typical box-like cooler container 12 which may be closed by a removable complementary shaped cover such as 14. In the specificembodiment shown for illustrative purposes, the container 12 and cover 14 are made of an unusually light-weight insulating material such as expanded polystyrene, so that the container is ideally suited for carrying food and/or drink and retaining the desired temperature thereof. Thus, as seen in Fig. 4, the'top of the walls of the container 12 and the bottom of the walls of the cover 14may be formed respectively with a groove 16 and a complementary protuberance 18 which coopcrate to provide a better air-tight association. It is important to note, however, that the cover 14 is not conneoted to the container 12 and rests thereon only by the force of gravity.

The handle 10 comprises a pair of symmetrical members 20, 20. Each of the members 20 may comprise an integrally formed wire rod both ends of which are bent 26 and 28 interconnected by a connecting web 30,32,

34. i It should be noted however, that the horizontal legs 22 and 24 lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the described channel-shaped configuration for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

As seenin Fig. 4, bolts such as 40 may be employed to mount the members 20 on the container 12, the shanks of said bolts passing through the eyelets 36 and 38. A locking member 42 and a Washer 44 may be employed to prevent lateral movement of each of the bolts 40, and each of the bolt shanks may be formed with an annular groove 46 for accommodating the eyelets 36 and 38 therein. It will thus be seen that each of the members 20 comprises a sort of saddle which encircles the container 12 and cover.

14 in substantial contour accommodating relationship. It should also be noted that the members 20 are pivotally mounted on the container 12 by means of the eyelets 36 and 38 and the bolts 40 for reasons which will now be described.

When it is desired to close the container 12, the cover 14 is placed thereon and the members 20 pivoted into the vertical position in face-to-face contact as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the drawings. As best illustrated-in Fig. 4, the horizontallock portions 34 and 32 now press tightly down on the cover 14 thereby firmly locking the same in container-closing relationship. In this position, the members 20 provide a most efiicient and convenient one handed carrying handle which may be gripped at the handles 34. It isv also important to note that since the members 20 extend across and slightly beyond the lateral width of the container 12, the weight of the container is thus evenly distributed to facilitate the carrying thereof.

When it is desired or required that the container be carried by two people, the members 20 need only be pivoted outwardly to the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings. Each of the people may now hold a respective handle 34 as indicated. It is important to note here that when the container is carried by two people as indicated, the members 20 are so shaped and the weight of the container so distributed, that the fingers and knuckles of thecarriers hands automatically and comfortably press against the cover 14 to again maintain the same in tight covering relationship. It will of course be appreciated that the described double tunction'of the members 20 is made possible by the novel configuration of said members and the fact that each of the same'is pivotally connected to two sides of the container 12.

Obviously, when it is desired to completely remove the cover 14, it is necessary only to pivot the members 20 outwardly until they are fully clear of the cover.

Since, in the embodiment chosen for illustration, the container 12 and the cover 14 are made of that relatively soft and deformable material expanded polystyrene, it is necessary to provide a pair of reinforcing metal bands 48, 48 and a protective cover band 50. It should of course be understood that where the material of construction of the container and cover is a more durable material such as metal, wood, plastic, or the like, the reinforcing and protective bands 48 and 50 may be dispensed with.

It should likewise be understood that While the container and cover illustrated is box-like, the same may assume other suitable shapes, with the members 20 being similarly changed in configuration to conform thereto.

From the above description and drawings, it should be apparent that I have provided a novel handle which affords a convenient and efficient one-handed carrying means and simultaneously functions as a locking means to lock the cover of the container in operational position. The handle may be simply converted from a single to a double carrier in which case the hands of the carriers cooperate With the handle to lock the cover in operational position. My novel handle is simple and inexpensive, and yet completely eliminates the need for any auxiliary locking devices to hold the cover in place.

It is believed that my invention, itsmode of construction and assembly, and many. of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of .the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

' 1. A handle for a container having'a removable top cover comprising, a pair of substantially channel-shaped members pivotally mounted in opposed relationship on said container, each of said members including a pair of leg segments and a connectingweb between said leg segments, said leg segments and connecting web lying in a single plane, and a pair of mounting legs connected to the free ends of said leg segments, said mountinglegs lying in a second plane, saidmembers being rotatable about a horizontal axis into a face-to-fiace upright position wherein said webs straddle and abut said cover to lock the same in container-closing relationship.

2. The handle of claim 1 in which each of said members comprises a symmetrically bent wire rod and said web includes a central upstanding handle portion.

3. The handle of claiml in which the free ends ofsaid mounting legs are looped to form eyelets, a pair of aligned mounting members positioned on opposite sides of said container, saideyelets being pivotally mounted on said mounting members.

4. The handle of claim 3 in which said members are outwardly rotatable to a second position whereby the same afford a pair oi handles at opposite ends, of said container for carrying by two people, said pair of handles and the hands of said people cooperatingto lock said cover in container closing relationship.

5. In combination with an opentopped container and a removable cover therefor, a handle comprising a pair of substantially channel-shaped members pivotally. mounted in opposed relationship on said container, each of said members including a pair of leg segments and a connect,- ing web between said leg segments, saidglegsegments and connecting web lying'in a single plane,,,and a pairiot mounting legs connected to the free endsot said leg-segments, said mounting legslying in a second plane, said members being rotatable about a horizontalaxis into a face-to-face upright positionwherein; said webs straddle andabut said cover to -lQQk' thQ same, incontainereclosing a i ns i Y 6. In combination with an open-topped rectangular con tainer having a pair ofside walls apair of end walls and a removable top cover,-a handle, said;handle comprising.

rotatable to an upright position.of:facestor-faceecontact with each other whereby each of said wire rod members completely traverses said cover and said pairs of horizontal lock portions engage said cover to lock the same in container-closing relationship.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which said wire rod members are outwardly rotatable to a second position whereby the same afford a pair of handles adjacent said end walls for carriage by two people, said pair of handles and the hands of said people cooperating to lock said cover in container-closing relationship.

8. A handle for an open topped container having a pair 'of side walls, a pair of end walls and a removable top cover comprising a pair of symmetrically bent wire rod members, each of said wire rod members having a pair of horizontal legs, a pair of vertical legs, a pair of horizontal lock portions, a central hand-grip and an eyelet formed on the free end of each of said horizontal legs, said horizontal legs lying in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said vertical legs, a pair of aligned mounting bolts positioned in each of said side walls, said eyelets pivotally mounted on said bolts, said wire rod members rotatable 6 to a first position in which the same are in upright face-toface contact with each other whereby each of said wire rod members completely traverses said cover and said pairs of horizontal lock portions engage said cover to lock the same in container closing relationship, said wire rod members outwardly rotatable to a second position whereby the same afford a pair of handles for carriage by two people, said pair of handles and the hands of said people cooperating to lock said cover in container-closing relationship, said wire rod members further outwardly rotatable to a third position whereby said cover may be removed from said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 597,051 Danz Ian. 11, 1898 1,495,548 Cline May 27, 1924 1,737,249 Kempter Nov. 26, 1929 2,741,398 Riener Apr. 10, 1956 2,872,095 Adams Feb.'3, 1959 

